The Old Republic has a new an unique system for us as well. The Sith/Darkside Corruption mechanic actually changes the character's appearance as they accumulate Dark Side points. Skin becomes pale and veiny, eyes become orange, then red. But is that even enough to assume someone might be a Sith, and how does that help with Jedi? Miraluka can see the force, so shouldn't they be able to tell light from dark? How do they do it? Can they just examine someone and look at the little force slider? 

In an article miniseries based on Daniel Wallace's instruction book for students of the Jedi Order – The Jedi Path – we've taken you through some of the lessons taught to Initiates and Padawans, as well as discussing some of the roles available to Jedi talented enough to make it to the rank of Jedi Knight. The Jedi Path: Teachings of the Jedi Order has acted as a guide for roleplayers who wish to learn more about the lore covering the different ranks within the Jedi Order, exclusively on SWTOR-RP. 

Note that most of the knowledge extracted from the book has been of the teachings after the Ruusan Reformation – an event which occurred much later in the Star Wars timeline than the events which take place in The Old Republic. However, any major differences in the structure of the Order have been pointed out in Parts I through IV so far of the miniseries, with the major difference being the manner in which the Jedi Trials are carried out. The Jedi Code, teachings of Initiates and Padawans, and the different roles of the Jedi Knights discussed in Part IV can be said to be very much the same in the era of The Old Republic, as there is no evidence to the contrary. 

The path of a Jedi during their years as an Initiate and Padawan learner is difficult and demanding to say the least. In Parts I, II, and III of The Jedi Path: Teachings of the Jedi Order, we've taken you through some of the activities that an Initiate and Padawan may have to partake in to progress through the ranks. After years of endless training and tutoring by senior peers, a Jedi Padawan must pass the Jedi Trials in order to obtain the rank of Jedi Knight. However, the learning does not end there. In The Jedi Path, a Jedi lore guide written by Daniel Wallace, we learn from the perspective of Grand Master Fae Coven that there are more Knights than any other rank in the Jedi Order, and for good reason. Demands for the services of the Jedi are high, as the Order serves to protect all living beings, especially those aligned with the Galactic Republic. The galaxy is a large place, and crime fills every corner of known space. 

The fate of Revan, dubbed as the prodigal knight in Knights of the Old Republic, is unknown. At the conclusion of the events in the game where Darth Malak was killed and the Star Forge destroyed by the Republic, Revan ventured off into the Unknown Regions, leaving behind not even the slightest of bread crumbs for others to follow. What was it that Revan sought out? Was there an evil not to be reckoned with that Revan sensed deep within the far reaches of space? What happened to his closest friends and companions that aided him through thick and thin? All these questions and more were left unanswered, until now! Well... not now, exactly. But soon. 

Drew Karpyshyn --Lead Writer at BioWare -- will reveal all the details about Revan in his novel, named after the character himself. The novel will follow on from the end of the Knights of the Old Republic, revealing Revan's true fate. The release date is set for November 15th, but if you cannot wait until then, be sure to check out BioWare's Friday Update which provides fans with the third and eleventh chapters from the novel. If you haven't pre-ordered the novel, check out the retailers provided by BioWare in their news article. Revan may just keep you entertained with your TOR appetite slightly satisfied until the game itself is released on December 20th. 

Not all Sith are evil. At least, the person behind the character driven mad by anger and the lust for power is not such a person. As roleplayers, we like to think that a hint of our personalities are injected into the characters we create for MMOs such as The Old Republic. Whether you're a straighty-one-eighty, headed down the straight and narrow path of the light side, or if you're anger is all that gives you strength through the dark side of the Force, some of you will make it to the psychological make-up of your character. You might just find that as evil as you'd like your character to be, you just don't have it in you to kill that innocent bystander just for the satisfaction of it. Amaris -- one of our members here at SWTOR-RP -- is one such person. A member of the Hands of Darkness, and a lurker at best at SWTOR-RP, Amaris features in our second ever Member Spotlight. 

Shamelessly building off of my boss, Ganden, and giving a shout out to the Empire folks (screw the Republic!), I would like to know what the Imperial Sith Lords and their Order mean to you, the players. In every incarnation of Star Wars, the Sith have been the overarching villains manipulating or influencing the conflicts detrimental to the Galactic Republic, either indirectly or directly -- sometimes both at different phases of plotting. Not only are they the direct counter to the Jedi Order, but they are the converse embodiment of the Living Force, warriors of hate and destruction that seek to not simply learn the force; but to subjugate the galaxy under their iron fist.

In Star Wars: The Old Republic, the option to play as these unrelenting juggernauts of destruction will be made available to those who desire it. As well as the many juicy and sinister opportunities this represents, there is also the chance to live an ideology that (in modern society) would be otherwise considered, ah, evil. The sheer amount of converse belief the Sith hold in relation to the Galactic Republic and, indeed, our own systems of government is staggering. The idea of democracy is little more than a laughable delusion, a plot device that this reporter fears too few Imperial roleplayers will grasp (not from this community, of course!).

Yet I digress with my rambling. What is it that the Sith Lords of The Old Republic mean to you, the players, the people? What do they represent, literally and figuratively? Will you be throwing in your lot with the Darker Side of the Force, or pursuing the path of righteous benediction against these nigh-unstoppable terrors? Does the Order of Sith Lords bear a special place in the story of your character, for good or ill; or are they more or less irrelevant? And finally... will you decide to play one of these sinister soldiers, or choose to oppose them vehemently (resistance is futile!)?

The political systems of the opposing factions in Star Wars: The Old Republic are, in many ways, the core of their conflict. The belief in expansion and accumulation of territory that drives the Sith Empire -- as well as their insatiable lust for revenge -- and the converse desire for liberty and righteous justice that motivates the Galactic Republic, for good and ill, have spawned many of the ideologies that define each superpower. Within these conflicting political systems is the representation of the core conflict currently ravaging the galaxy.

Where in some cases a modicum of co-existence can be achieved and, indeed, has been acquired in the past within the Republic and its subsidiary nations; the sheer level of raw incompatibility of the Imperial and Republic systems of government has led to an irreparable rift between the two factions, further inflamed by the natural animosity between Sith and Jedi. At this point, it is not too presumptuous to say that co-existence is a foolish impossibility. How, then, does this vicious intolerance reflect onto roleplay?

The very nature of the systems of rulership employed by these two galactic juggernauts has long-reaching effects. Actions and reactions ripple across the spiral arms, conflict burns hot and persistent and hatred and animosity are bred in equal amounts to camaraderie and brotherhood. With the blatant representation of two so diametrically opposed systems of government, how do you as players find yourselves considering these political climates and the impacts they have on your characters?

As roleplayers, what is it you perceive in these systems and the potential inherent to them for the growth and development of your toons? Do you believe that these opposing belief systems hold equal merit, or that one works better than the other? And what is it that your character seeks, the former or latter; do they wish for the slow, but open system of Democracy or the efficient, but merciless function of a Monarchy?

Let us know your thoughts.

According to dictionary.com, a contract is "an agreement between two or more parties for the doing or not doing of something specified." Quite an open definition, is it not? What we take from it is that we could be asked to do, or not to do, almost anything, right? The possibilities are endless, especially when we immerse that concept into a Star Wars MMO, such as the one we're all looking forward to; The Old Republic. As roleplayers, majority of our stories are created and defined by us. We make new friends, new adversaries, creating a long chain of story arcs with like-minded individuals. However, BioWare have created a virtual world full of story. We're told that the content in their game would be enough to fill the next eight sequels to Knights of the Old Republic II. Regardless, there are always boundaries to what we can do with in-game content, seeming as you'll find a bunch of others who have completed the same quests as you. 

The stories created by the players are only limited by their own imaginations. Stories can consist of almost anything -- within the limits of canon of course -- including the concept of player contracts. If we go by the definition of the word "contract" provided by dictionary.com as mentioned earlier, you could basically ask another player to do anything for you. Too lazy to go to the bar to order another Jawa Juice? Pay someone to get it for you. That's pretty boring though, right? You could hire another player, even groups of players, to seek out a long lost friend or enemy. Perhaps you want someone to retrieve a valuable object, requiring certain skills that your employees possess? Your options are pretty much endless. 

Yesterday, we asked you where or not you would participate in player bounties. In today's Force Reflection, tell us whether or not you've got any plans to participate in player contracts. Have you got plans to hire mercenaries to do your dirty work? Have you prepared a chain of events which will require you to hire some assistance? The message conveyed in this Force Reflection is that when we talk about contracts, your options have no bounds. Put your thoughts or any plans that you may have once the game launches in the comments section.